A method and system for remote control at a client of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) enables a user to add desired multimedia program listings to a user collection. The user collection may be saved at an MCDN server for subsequent retrieval. Multimedia programs corresponding to the listings may be stored in a user collection cache. The user may easily select the listings in a user collection for presentation at an MCDN client. The multimedia programs may be provided from a plurality of content sources, including external content providers and the Internet.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A multimedia content delivery method, comprising: sending, by a set top box to a mobile device configured to provide wireless telephone service, via a bidirectional connection including a wireless link between the mobile device and a wireless network and an access link between the set top box and an access network, information indicative of available content, wherein the available content comprises content made available to a subscriber by a service provider and accessible via a service provider network; receiving, by the set top box from the mobile device via the bidirectional connection, first user input indicative of a particular content; adding a listing corresponding to the particular content to a user list; and playing back, by the set top box, the particular content.
A multimedia content delivery method involves a set-top box communicating with a mobile device over a two-way connection (wireless link for the mobile device and access link for the set-top box). The set-top box sends information about available content (from the service provider's network) to the mobile device. The set-top box then receives user input from the mobile device indicating a specific content selection. The set-top box adds a listing for that content to a user list, and then plays back the selected content on the set-top box.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information indicative of available content includes an electronic programming guide listing at least one of: a video-on-demand program, a prerecorded program, a pay-per-view program, streaming Internet content, and a broadcasted program.
Building on the method where a set-top box sends information about available content to a mobile device, the information indicative of available content includes an electronic programming guide (EPG). The EPG lists video-on-demand programs, pre-recorded programs, pay-per-view programs, streaming Internet content, or broadcasted programs. The user can then select items from this EPG on their mobile device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein sending further includes sending the user list to facilitate user access to previously selected content.
In the method where a set-top box sends available content information to a mobile device and receives content selections, the set-top box also sends the user list (containing previously selected content) to facilitate user access to that content. This allows the user to easily find and re-select previously chosen programs.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first user input is indicative of a desired multimedia program listed in the user list.
Building on the method where a set-top box sends the user list to facilitate user access to previously selected content, the user input from the mobile device indicates a desired multimedia program specifically listed in that user list. This allows the user to easily select from their curated list of content.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: retrieving the user list from a repository associated with a user and displaying the user list.
In the multimedia content delivery method, the process includes retrieving the user list from a repository associated with the user, and then displaying that user list to the user. This provides the user with a view of their saved content selections.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: wherein displaying the user list comprises displaying the user list on a display associated with the set top box.
Continuing from retrieving and displaying the user list, the display of the user list occurs on a display associated with the set-top box itself, allowing for direct interaction and selection.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: receiving second user input indicative of a user list name; recognizing the user list name as a reference to the user list; receiving third user input for selecting a named user list; and displaying an indication of the named user list.
In the multimedia content delivery method, the process includes receiving user input that specifies a name for a particular user list. This name is then recognized as a reference to that specific user list. Subsequent user input can then select a named user list, and the system displays an indication (like the name itself) of the selected user list.
8. A mobile device, comprising: a processor; a wireless interface coupled to the processor; a memory device, coupled to the processor, including processor-executable program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the mobile device to perform operations, comprising: receiving, by a mobile device via a bidirectional connection comprising a wireless wide area network link between the mobile device and a wireless network and an access link between the set top box and an access network, available content information from the set top box, wherein the available content information is indicative of available content, wherein the available content comprises content made available to a subscriber by a service provider and accessible via a service provider network; sending, to the set top box from the mobile device via the bidirectional connection, first user input indicative of a particular content; adding a listing corresponding to the particular content to a user list; and caching the particular content for subsequent play back.
A mobile device comprises a processor, a wireless interface, and memory. The memory stores instructions that, when executed, cause the mobile device to receive available content information from a set-top box via a bidirectional connection (wireless wide area network link for mobile device, access link for set-top box). The available content comes from a service provider. The mobile device then sends user input to the set-top box indicating a specific content selection, adds a listing for that content to a user list, and caches the selected content for later playback, potentially on the mobile device itself.
9. The mobile device of claim 8 , wherein the information indicative of available content includes an electronic programming guide listing at least one of: a video-on-demand program, a prerecorded program, a pay-per-view program, streaming Internet content, and a broadcasted program.
In the mobile device described above, the available content information includes an electronic programming guide (EPG) listing video-on-demand, pre-recorded, pay-per-view programs, streaming Internet content, or broadcasted programs. The mobile device receives this EPG from the set-top box.
10. The mobile device of claim 8 , wherein the user list facilitates user access to previously selected content.
In the mobile device that receives available content and allows selection, the user list facilitates user access to previously selected content, allowing for easy reselection.
11. The mobile device of claim 10 , wherein the first user input is indicative of a desired multimedia program listed in the user list.
In the mobile device with the user list, the user input indicating content selection specifies a desired multimedia program that is already listed in the user list.
12. The mobile device of claim 8 , wherein the operations include: retrieving the user list from a repository associated with a user and displaying the user list.
Continuing from the mobile device description, the operations also include retrieving a user list from a repository associated with a user and displaying the user list on the device.
13. The mobile device of claim 12 , wherein the operations include: displaying the user list on a display associated with the mobile device.
Expanding upon the mobile device's operations, the displaying of the user list happens on a display specifically associated with the mobile device.
14. The mobile device of claim 8 , wherein the operations include: receiving second user input indicative of a user list name; recognizing the user list name as a reference to the user list; receiving third user input for selecting a named user list; and displaying an indication of the named user list.
In the mobile device functionality, the operations include receiving user input specifying a name for a user list, recognizing that name as a reference to that specific list, receiving further input selecting a named user list, and finally displaying an indication (such as the name) of the selected user list.
15. A non-transitory computer readable medium, including processor-executable program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: sending, by a set top box to a mobile device configured to provide wireless telephone service, via a bidirectional connection including a wireless link between the mobile device and a wireless network and an access link between the set top box and an access network, information indicative of available content, wherein the available content comprises content made available to a subscriber by a service provider and accessible via a service provider network; receiving, by the set top box from the mobile device via the bidirectional connection, first user input indicative of a particular content; adding a listing corresponding to the particular content to a user list; and performing an operation selected from the group of operations comprising: playing back the particular content; and caching the particular content on the set top box for subsequent play back.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to send information about available content from a set-top box to a mobile device via a bidirectional connection (wireless link for the mobile device, access link for the set-top box). The processor receives user input from the mobile device selecting content, adds the selection to a user list, and then either plays back the selected content, or caches the selected content on the set-top box for later use.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the information indicative of available content includes an electronic programming guide listing at least one of: a video-on-demand program, a prerecorded program, a pay-per-view program, streaming Internet content, and a broadcasted program.
In the computer-readable medium with instructions for content delivery, the available content information includes an electronic programming guide (EPG) with listings for video-on-demand programs, pre-recorded programs, pay-per-view programs, streaming Internet content, and broadcast programs.
17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the user list facilitates user access to previously selected content.
In the computer-readable medium with instructions, the user list facilitates user access to previously selected content.
18. The computer readable medium of claim 17 , wherein the first user input is indicative of a desired multimedia program listed in the user list.
Expanding upon the computer-readable medium, the user input indicates a specific multimedia program listed within the user list.
19. The computer readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the operations include: retrieving the user list from a repository associated with a user and displaying the user list.
In the computer-readable medium, the operations also include retrieving the user list from a repository associated with the user and displaying that user list.
20. The computer readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the operations include: displaying the user list on a display associated with the mobile device.
Continuing from retrieving and displaying the user list using the computer-readable medium, the displaying of the user list happens on a display associated with the mobile device.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 7, 2016
November 7, 2017
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